“Mad Men”
Thursday 10pm, AMC
Now here’s a cool idea for a series: a period piece set on Madison Avenue in the 1960s that follows the high-stress, debauched lives of the world’s leading ad execs. Seriously, that sounds fascinating. This AMC original series was created by “Sopranos” writer Matthew Weiner and features a cast of little-knowns, including Elisabeth Moss, who played one of the First Daughters on “The West Wing,” and Jason Slattery, who guest-starred as a golden shower-loving politico on “Sex and the City” and an abusive mayor on “Desperate Housewives.” Given its home on AMC, this should be a classy production—and if Amanda Woodward taught us something on “Melrose Place,” it’s that advertising can be complicated—and sexy!
“Hell’s Kitchen”
Monday 8pm, Fox
I dismissed the first two seasons of this cooking competition because I thought belligerent chef Gordon Ramsay was a transparent attempt to capitalize on the mean, British judge thing Simon Cowell does so well on “American Idol.” And that probably is the case. However, after catching a couple episodes I can’t deny that it’s damn entertaining and Ramsay is—against all odds —kind of likable. Any man that can string together 10- plus obscenities and who regularly refers to his underlings as “donkeys” is alright in my book. Expect it to come down to Julia, the Waffle House cook who has surprised pretty much everyone with her skill in the kitchen, and Rock, the talented executive chef who’s always good for a one-liner.
“Greek”
Monday 9pm, ABC Family
Oh, if Pat Robertson could see what his little Christian Broadcasting Network has turned into. That fact actually makes me enjoy this show more than I probably should. This soaper chronicles the ins and outs of college Greek life, both fraternities and sororities. Almost every character is a stereotype—the geeky kid brother trying to be cool; the mean girl sorority head; the jackhole frat leader—and they go through some pretty familiar scenarios, mostly involving hazing, drinking and hooking up. But again: It’s on ABC Family, and that makes this show kind of subversive. Plus, the Delta Delta Deltas have been crying about how it creates a false portrayal of sorority girls as pretty, catty bitches. And if it makes the Tri-Delts cry, it’s got to have some redeeming value, right?
